"The Higher Interests of New Zealand."

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17986, 1 February 1924, Page 8

"The Higher Interests of New Zealand."

The opinion of the Mayor of Ghristchurch that the South Island should ask itself whether the time has not come to demand some kind of political independence of the North has not

commended itself to the rest of the Dominion. We publish this morning the comments of papers in Auckland,

Westland and Otago, and not one js

favourable. Otago argues that the logical end of self-determination would be anarchy. Westland wonders if

the mantle of Dr. Thaeker has descended on Mr Flesher, and says that "not

" separation, but less parochialism" ia the policy to be encouraged. But

the most interesting comment comes, of course, from Auckland, shall

not linger over tho remarks or the " Herald," which is certain that Mr

Flesher is not serious, but thinks it

advisable, in case he is, to remind us j that if we do break away Auckland will no longer maintain Canterbury College and Otago University. The "Star," however, is so certain of our Mayor's devolutionary intentions that it attacks him in the "higher interests "of New Zealand." Wc have ourselves disagreed with Mr Flesher, and made our objection on national grounds, but it did not occur 10 us that the nation means one Island or the other. It did occur at onco to tho ''Star/-' wllich liad no sooner read what. Mr Flesher had to say than it poured out three-quarters of a column in its best North Island manner, and closed on this note:

Our complaint against Mr Flesher and those who share his views is. not simply that they are narrow-minded and parochial, but that in their jealous resentment at the inevitable passing of the old Southern ascendancy they are losing sight entirely of tho higher interests of New Zealand, which of necessity involve their own best interests as we'll.

The North Island is always interesting in print, but it reaches the top of its form only -when it ascends to these giddy heights of altruism. Take also that period, of which the "Star" writes, when the North, "con- " vulsed by native wars," . . . " acquiesced" in the initiation of the Otago Central and CanterburyWestland railways. Although the North Island is subject to convulsions, and ■in them has said and

done some strange things, whoever caught it in an act of acquiescence? The South Island was developed, not because the North, in the higher interests of New Zealand, acquiesced, but because there is a limit beyond which obstruction cannot go. And while the South Island is not subject to such convulsions of jealousy as would malce it complain of "the growth of the North " in wealth and prosperity," it has its own ideas about its - own devolopment. '• Beneficial, reactions" from-the North Island may sound well enough in Auckland, but they leave Christehnrcli cold. The South Island gospel of development is that public money should be spent where it is most needed, and public services employed as "thfey would be if so many people were not trying to got Cook Strait out of the geography books and placed in the history books instead. "We do not expect the North Island to acquiesce, but wo do expect it, while straining every nerve to corner public money to abstain from Pec&sniffian platitudes about a "one and indivisible " New Zealand." •